Proposed gun range in Jax Beach voted down

Community discussed gun range proposal Monday night

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. - The Jacksonville Beach Planning Commission discussed and voted down a proposal for a gun range on Penman Road on Monday night.

A Jacksonville Beach insurance agent tried to buy the building that is currently Atlantic Laser Office Products and put a gun range there. The site is on Penman Road right across the street from the Montessori Tides School and it's surrounded by other businesses.

"The indoor range is going to be safety, safety, safety I believe," said Sam Bass.

On the other side opponents brought in yellow signs in opposition.

"I don't think we're concerned about what goes on in doors, but you can't control what goes on in the parking lot," said Rosie Hetman.

The controversy over the gun range stemmed from where the range would have been placed next to a bakery frequented by students from Fletcher High School and right across the street from Montessori Tides School. The majority of the opposition Monday night were parents of kids at the school.

"I'm worried that it's even come to this state in the conversation that we would consider a shooting range in the proximity of the schools, restaurants and cafes on Penman Road," said Chris Margolin.

"At the last meeting there were a lot of people in opposition and we understand their concerns and that's what we were here to offer rebuttal and that's why we were here and the legislature of Florida has made it clear what the policy is and laws of Florida are should've been approved," said Cord Byrd, attorney for the proposed gun range.

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